You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more efficient means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the amazing marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Landing Pages.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual areas. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to change item settings, page layouts, and general circulation? Great– you’ll require to quest via 3 different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Landing Pages
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “innovative” device. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve checked a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.